Chelsea have fined Kepa Arrizabalaga one week’s wages after he refused to be subbed off in the Carabao Cup final.
The goalkeeper has been disciplined after he defied Maurizio Sarri’s orders to come off in extra-time of Chelsea’s eventual defeat to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The club have taken the decision to fine Kepa – he earns around £190,000-per-week – and donate it to the Chelsea Foundation.
Talk about absolute balls for Kepa Arrizabalaga, stand your ground and courage of your convictions. Good morning. pic.twitter.com/4ehechUVwJ— Sifiso Gumede (@Sifiso_Gumede) February 25, 2019
Both player and manager have released follow-up statements, which appeared on the same page of the club’s website, as the Blues look to move on from the incident.
Kepa said: “I was very happy to play in my first cup final for Chelsea yesterday and very proud of the team performance.
It was all just a “big misunderstanding”.
Maurizio Sarri on the incident with Kepa Arrizabalaga. pic.twitter.com/vLWGM8TJwC— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 24, 2019